California Chief Justice Ronald George, a lifelong Republican, said his decision to vote in favor of overturning the state’s ban on same-sex marriage was the toughest of his career.

It’s also become one of the most controversial.

George, 68, wrote the 121-page state Supreme Court ruling that struck down the gay marriage ban.

“The 4-3 decision, which George calls the toughest of his career . . . will define his legacy as chief justice,” the San Jose Mercury News observed.

Writing for the majority, Judge George declared: “We determine that . . . the designation of marriage to a union 'between a man and a woman' is unconstitutional and must be stricken from the statute, and that the remaining statutory language must be understood as making the designation of marriage available both to opposite-sex and same-sex couples."